ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः
इत्युक्तः स तु मात्रा वै निर्जगाम तदा वनम् विश्वामित्रं ततो दृष्ट्वा प्रणिपत्य यथाविधि
ityuktaḥ sa tu mātrā vai nirjagāma tadā vanam viśvāmitraṃ tato dṛṣṭvā praṇipatya yathāvidhi
Thus instructed by his mother, he then set out for the forest. On seeing Viśvāmitra, he bowed down in full prostration in the proper manner, honouring the guru and the sacred law that purifies the bound soul (paśu) through disciplined conduct.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It establishes that correct inner disposition—humility, obedience, and yathāvidhi reverence to the seer/guru—is foundational for any effective Shiva-linga worship, because discipline loosens pāśa (bondage) in the paśu (soul).
Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as approached through dharmic refinement: the paśu moves toward Pati (Shiva) by purifying conduct and honoring enlightened rishis who transmit right knowledge and rite.
Yathāvidhi praṇipāta (proper prostration) and guru-satkara—core niyamas that support Pāśupata-style self-discipline and readiness for mantra, vrata, and puja.